New York Times bestselling author (and birding superstar), Oregon’s own Noah Strycker, is coming to Ashland on September 23rd to help Klamath Bird Observatory and our community celebrate our love for birds and birding and to help support Klamath Bird Observatory’s science-driven conservation efforts. For more than 25 years we have been using birds as indicators of environmental well-being and the science of bird monitoring to advance ecosystem conservation in the Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion of southern Oregon and northern California. During that same time birdwatching has become the fastest growing recreational activity in the United States — birders have been fueling local economies spending $13 billion annually in pursuit of this fascinating hobby, while raising attention to the importance of birds and bird conservation to human, economic, and environmental well-being.

Noah will keynote our September 23rd Mountain bird Conservation Fundraiser at the Historic Ashland Armory. This “conservation birding” event will feature Klamath Bird Observatory’s science and conservation in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Additionally we will unveil our 2017 Conservation Science Stamp, which all attendees will receive along with a 2017-2018 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp.

Why Noah Strycker? Klamath Bird Observatory President Shannon Rio explains — In 2015, bird nerd Noah Strycker became the first human to see more than half of the planet’s bird species in a single year. I am inspired by Noah’s story and I think you will be too. During Noah’s round-the-world birding trip he was scourged by blood-sucking leeches; he suffered fevers and sleep deprivation; he survived airline snafus, car breakdowns, mudslides, and torrential floods; he skirted war zones; and he had the time of his life. Birding on seven continents and carrying only a pack on his back, Strycker enlisted the enthusiastic support of local birders to help him see more than 6,000 species.

By bringing Noah to our event we will be furthering Klamath Bird Observatory’s dedication to wildlife education, which is my personal passion. Our education connects people with birds, building in them a passion and love for birds with an intention to build a community that protects that which we love – birds. So please come hear Noah’s story and help us advance bird conservation through science, education, and partnerships.

Why science and conservation in the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument? Klamath Bird Observatory Science Director Jaime Stephens explains — The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument provides an example of how KBO’s science, when applied to decision making, has resulted in good things for birds and for the environment that we all depend on. The Monument, originally established in 2000 and expanded in 2017, is located at the crossroads of the Cascade, Klamath, and Siskiyou mountain ranges—the area has long been recognized for its unmatched biodiversity. KBO has worked with a team of scientists to inform management goals and the recent boundary expansion. Decisions informed by our science have led to further protection for species and habitats that our recent peer reviewed science identified as underrepresented on protected lands, including the imperiled Oregon Vesper Sparrow, a regional subspecies that spends its summers in the grassland habitats of the Monument.

Why conservation stamps? Klamath Bird Observatory Executive Director John Alexander explains — Each year the price of our annual conservation birding event includes the purchase of a Conservation Stamp Set. The set includes the 2017-2018 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, known as the Duck Stamp, and Klamath Bird Observatory’s 2017 Bird Conservation Science Stamp. Why the Duck Stamp? Because we see birds and birding as our refuge, and by purchasing Duck Stamps birders can directly contributing to bird habitat conservation efforts on our National Wildlife Refuges; the United States refuge system is one of the world’s best migratory bird conservation models. Plus the Duck Stamp provides you access to our Nation’s refuges. Why KBO’s Conservation Science Stamp? Proceeds from the conservation science stamp support and bring attention and the science-based programs, such as our work in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, and specific species we are working with. So please join us at our 2017 conservation birding event, the Mountain Bird Conservation Fundraiser, and put your stamp on conservation.

Klamath Bird Observatory’s Mountain Bird Conservation Fundraiser is an International Bird Day Event. The International Bird Day theme, helping birds along the way, recognizes the importance of stopover sites and their habitats. In our region the Upper Klamath Basin serves as a critical staging area for migrating waterfowl, and throughout the Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion riparian habitats along lakes, river, and streams provide important stopover habitat for migratory songbirds. By supporting Klamath Bird Observatory you support the science that drives conservation for migratory birds and their stopover habitats.